Honorable Steven Bradford, Former Assembly member 62nd District graced the students of Loyola Marymount University with a presentation and speech for the ‘A Night Out’ scholarship reception this past March 14 at City Club Los Angeles, a posh 51st floor premier private business club in downtown Los Angeles.Bradford presented the Honorable Irma Brown Dillon Community Service Award.

Bradford took to Twitter during the event tweeting, “Thank you @LoyolaMarymount AAAA for the award. Deeply humbled and as Dr. King said, "it's about service"”

Loyola Marymount Universities’ African American Alumni Association celebrated the raising of over One million dollars in essential scholarship support for undergraduate students who demonstrated academic excellence and leadership.

“Tonight’s event is to celebrate the African American Alumni Association of Loyola Marymount, giving scholarships to sixty-nine students,” said Rosemary Turner, President of UPS’ North California District, President of LMU’s African American Alumni Association and sits on the LMU Board of Trustees.“The African American Students will receive scholarships for their full tenure at Loyola Marymount as an undergraduate.Tonight could not be possible without the support of all of our corporate sponsors Edison International, Union Bank, Bank of America, Sodexo, and our premier sponsor, UPS.And the giving of all the individuals you see in this room.It takes a village to raise a child, and as Martin Luther King said, ‘We still have more to do.’And that’s what we are doing tonight.”

The evening’s Mistress of Ceremonies was Effie Brown, President of Duly Noted and Producer of the 2015 Spirit Award winning short ‘Dear White People.’Speaking at the Awards Presentation was Hon. Steven Bradford, Former Assembly member 62nd District, Christian M. DeLarkin, Vice Principal of Academic Affairs at St. John Boscow High School and Hon. Erithe Smith, Judge of the United States Bankruptcy Court.

“Tonight was an outstanding event,” said Derrick Waters, Director of Engineering for UPS, “in reference to where we had an opportunity for African Americans to come together and for young African Americans to be recognized and know that others that looked like them have had the opportunity to be successful.The president of the university had done a great job in supporting the African American community.”

“I was real appreciative that I came at the right time,” said junior mathematics Major Sarah Yoseph, who plans on using the scholarship that she won to pay for the rest of her time at LMU.

Shanice Rodgers, a senior, computer science major, “I’ve had the scholarship for four years now, and I plan on going to nursing school to get my Bachelors of Science in Nursing, my Masters of Science in Nursing and becoming a Nurse Practitioner and a Primary Care Physician.”

After the presentation and speeches was a special performance by singer and songwriter Goapele.“I think that it is important for everybody, especially African Americans to get to go to college in an affordable way that doesn’t keep you in debt for most of your adult life.”

“This is a fabulous event,” added David W. Burcham, President of Loyola Marymount University, “the largest ever.I am very proud of the students that are here as well as all the donors that have made it possible for them to attend LMU.We welcome the African American Alumni Association as one of the premier alumni associations at the university and really support their mission.”

For more information about Loyola Marymount University’s African American Alumni Association, go to www.lmu.edu.

A proposal to raise the minimum wage in Los Angeles to as high as $15.25 per hour by 2019 would have more benefits than drawbacks and increase the wages of about 600,000 workers, according to a newly released UC Berkeley report commissioned by the city of Los Angeles. The report concludes "the benefits of the proposed minimum wage law will largely outweigh the costs in Los Angeles city, and when the larger region is considered, the net impact of the law will be positive.'' The wage increase likely would prompt businesses to pass costs onto customers, driving demand down by $1.128 billion by 2019, according to the report. But at the same time, the incomes for workers would go up $2.381 billion by 2019 and likely have multiplier effects on spending in the economy, the report said.

Researchers also note that because more than half of affected workers live outside the city, most of the spending would happen there. This would lower the gross domestic product in Los Angeles 0.1 percent or $315 billion by 2019, translating into the loss of 3,472 jobs by 2019. Researchers called this a ``small'' cost that would be offset by a projected yearly job growth of 2.5 percent. Meanwhile, the proposed hike would result in 5,262 new jobs countywide by 2019.

The mostly positive findings, along with those of two other studies commissioned by business and labor groups, will be discussed at four public hearings on the issue hosted over the next month by a City Council's Economic Development Committee. UC Berkeley researchers say 80 percent the workers affected would be people of color, and the wage increase would affect more than half of Latino workers in the city.

The 600,000 workers who would see their wages go up by 2019 make up about 40 percent of the Los Angeles workforce, they said. The committee's chair, Councilman Curren Price, said he represents ``one of the poorest regions in this city'' and understands ``the real life impact that stagnant wages have had on our underserved communities.''

"This (UC Berkeley) study helps us better understand the magnitude of income inequality'' in the city and also gives ``reassuring data that shows that a minimum wage increase, done thoughtfully, will have benefits for the local economy and businesses,'' Price said.

The study by UC Berkeley's Institute for Research on Labor and Employment looked at the economic effects of raising the minimum wage from $9 an hour to $13.25 an hour by 2017, to $15.25 an hour by 2019, and higher in subsequent years based on the Consumer Price Index. UC Berkeley prepared the study for Seattle's minimum wage hike plan and worked on a economic study that Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti released last September as he announced his proposal for raising the wage to $13.25 per hour.

Some business leaders opposing the wage hike plan -- which they argue could lead to layoffs of workers or increase the costs of products and services -- have criticized the choice of UC Berkeley as the economic research firm for the proposal. But some business groups have come out in support of the minimum wage hike plan, with Garcetti recently touting the Los Angeles Business Council's endorsement. Separate studies commissioned by the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, representing the local business community, and by the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, which represents unions, were also recently released.

The chamber's study, done by Beacon Economics, found the wage hike proposal would be more harmful than helpful to the city's economy, suppressing an anticipated 73,000 to 140,000 new jobs. Researchers argued that the wage increase could drive businesses to neighboring cities where the minimum wage rates are lower.

The Beacon researchers, calling the intent of the wage hike proposal "commendable,'' recommended ways to make it less drastic. They urged the city to consider increasing the minimum wage to a lower amount; slowing down the rate of the increase; making exceptions for certain workers such as those who might officially earn the minimum wage but actually make more because they work off tips; and excluding certain types of employers such as nonprofits, small businesses and those that tend to hire younger workers.

The Los Angeles County Federation of Labor's Raise the Wage campaign is pushing for the wage to go to $15.25 per hour, further than Garcetti's original $13.25 plan.

The federation released a report by the Economic Roundtable, which found that raising the wage to $15.25 per hour by 2019 would result in an additional $5.9 billion in earnings for more than 700,000 workers. The hike would also create 46,400 more jobs, more than half of them within the city, that study says.

The wage increase would also lower spending on public assistance by about $300 million a year, according to the report. State and local governments would also get $414 million more in revenue, and the federal government would get $546 million.

The Economic Roundtable report also argues that industries in Los Angeles are "predominantly resilient,'' with researchers saying that four out of five low-paying jobs are physically performed within the city.

"Most that do employ low-wage workers are providing services to more affluent residents who can adjust to price increases that may result from a higher minimum wage,'' the report said. ``In these industries, Los Angeles residents provide services to other Los Angeles residents, but do not earn enough to make ends meet.''

The researchers recommended monitoring seven industries if the wage hike is adopted: the textile and apparel manufacturing industry; temporary workers, guards and janitors; home healthcare services; residential care and nursing facilities; child day care services; restaurants and bars; and personal and repair services.

Those industries represent one out of five jobs in Los Angeles, and six of the industries are service-based and have high enough demand that the businesses can pass on the costs to consumers, the report said.

The council's Economic Development Committee will hold hearings to review the results of the economic studies on:

Six people have been arrested in the Fourth of July shooting death of a Long Beach man, authorities said last week. Kayon Dafney, 24, of Long Beach was found dead about 12:30 a.m. July 4, 2014, in an alley near the 6500 block of Gardenia Avenue, the Long Beach Police Department reported.

``After a thorough investigation, which revealed the shooting occurred over an ongoing gang dispute, a two-day arrest operation took place on March 12 and 13,'' police said. ``Six suspects were arrested in various cities throughout the region.''

Three men were booked on suspicion of murder: Anthony Chapple, 24, and Kerry Williams Jr., 25, both of Long Beach; and Clyde Beasley, 48, of Westminster. A man and two women were booked on suspicion of ``accessory after the fact'': Kerry Williams Sr., 43, of Lakewood; Arielle Bingley, 25, of San Pedro; and Billie Gobert, 70, of Long Beach. Arraignments were scheduled in court in Long Beach for five of the suspects on the following days: Chapple, March 20; Kerry Williams Sr., April 6; Beasley and Kerry Williams Jr., April 8; and Bingley, April 10. Gobert's arraignment date was pending.

Corey Jackson Riverside area 100 Black Men leads his panel that covered best practices to reach African American youth.

Dr. Robert K. Ross M.D. president and CEO of the California Endowment speaks to educators and parents about the importance and connection of the health of students and education.

Dr. Kelli DuCloux a parent from San Bernardino county asks questions during the question and answers sessions with panelists

Over 500 educators, parents, and stakeholders attended the annual California Association of African-American Superintendents and Administrators (CAAASA) recently in San Diego. The conference aims to convene education experts and stakeholders to help better understand best strategies for African American and other underserved students.

African-American, Hispanic, and low-income or low-language students are assets that must be invested in, said Dr. Kent Paredes Scribner, a commissioner with the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics.

“They are not problems to be solved,” he said. “It is good for the California economy to invest in this beautiful human resource of young people. They grow up to be adults so we ought to invest in them today.”

Scribner opened the first session and told an audience of over 200 educators and education advocates that U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan believes the achievement gap between minority and non-minority students is the greatest civil rights issue of today.

“If we are going to have an economy that is vibrant and effective we must invest in the resources we have,” said Scribner, who is also a superintendent with the Phoenix Union School District in Arizona.

Scribner was one of four speakers to take the stage in San Diego as a part of the summit’s opening discussion, which centered on “Accelerating Academic Growth for African American and Other Students of Color.”

The other speakers were Dr. Randy Ward, a superintendent with the San Diego County Office of Education, Dr. Rita Kholi, an assistant professor at the University of California-Riverside, and Corey Jackson, the mentoring chair of the 100 Black Men Inland Empire.

The four are among the over 50 speakers and specialists that presented during the three-day conference, which is geared towards furthering CAAASA’s goal of identifying and addressing critical issues in education through public policy relative to the status and performance of African-American students in the classroom.

In attendance at the event were school superintendents, administrators, teachers, parents, and business partners from across the Golden State.

During the summit attendees took part in workshops, discussion groups, and talks that focus on issues attached to educating black and other minority youths in California including President Barack Obama’s “My Brother’s Keeper” program, community and family health, school truancy, college readiness, and parent engagement.

In her opening remarks, CAAASA President Dr. Judy White said the 500-member CAAASA is declaring the mantra “Persevere until its here.”

“What? Equity. Where? Every educational institution? When? Now,” she said. “Persevering is not a long race. It is many short races, one after another. This summit is one of those short races.”

Dr. Randy Ward, a superintendent with the San Diego County Office of Education, said far too many African-American students are not achieving academic success like white or Asian students.

“We talk about the achievement gap, but what about the opportunity gap,” he said? “Many kids don’t have the opportunities others do.”

Ward said African-American students need access to the same tools as other students to excel such books with a rich vocabulary, high-quality teachers, technology for educational means, and high expectations from their family and teachers.

“The same thing you expect from one child, you expect from another,” he said. “Our children do not need pity, they need an education.”

During a question and answer session with the panelists, Jackson said African-American students will show respect when given respect.

“When they believe you care about them, when they know you are willing to sacrifice for them,” he said. “Then, they are going to accept your high expectations.”

Ward concluded that students need to have a plan to reach those expectations.

“You have to show them what the filters are to get to that plan,” he said. “Its individual responsibility for students to pick the path, but they have to be shown the path first. That is our responsibility as adults.”

Dwight Bonds, CAAASA’s executive director, said he hopes the summit’s attendees can take what they learn during at the event back to their schools and students.

“We are going to be that much more prepared to work and serve students of color.”

A major environmental cleanup event launched by the founder and director of Mother’s In Action, the late Brenda Marsh-Mitchell will continue with the strong support of elected officials on Saturday March 28 at 3800 Crenshaw Blvd.

The event which offers residents, businesses and individuals a unique opportunity to promote a save environment by disposing of harmful and toxic materials in a safe manner for free has been a major success.

The daughter of Brenda and new Mothers In Action President Tracy Mitchell will host the event along with Los Angeles Sentinel Executive Publisher Danny J. Bakewell Sr.

Los Angeles City Council President Herb Wesson, along with Supervisor Mark Ridley Thomas, Assemblymember Reginald Jones-Sawyer, LA Sanitation, Public Works, Copy City, Shred-It USA and ECWA will also participate.

“Nice neighborhoods depend on everyone doing their part to keep their communities clean and beautiful,” said Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas. “I commend Mothers In Action and all of the other groups sponsoring this event for making their surroundings better and ensuring that future generations are empowered by having a stake in their community,” explained Ridley-Thomas.

The cleanup will take place from 9a.m. to 3p.m. and area residents are encouraged to bring their outdated medications, gasoline, solvents, tires, old aerosol cans, old electronics, photographic chemicals and other hazardous waste to recycle at no charge and free paper shredding from 9:00 am -12:30 pm.All services are Drive thru only.

“This event is a convenient opportunity to safely get rid of the hazardous waste and electronic waste in our households, without charge.All of our families will all be healthier and safer for taking advantage of this opportunity.My thanks to the Bureau of Sanitation and the LA Sentinel for taking the initiative and making this important event possible,” stated Wesson.

“LASAN is honored to partner with City Council President, Herb Wesson II, the Los Angeles Sentinel, Board of Public Works, and the Crenshaw Chamber of Commerce to sponsor this wonderful environmental event for the residents of the Crenshaw community.The mission of LASAN is to protect public health and the environment.LASAN strives to fulfill this mission everyday through our clean water, watershed protection and solid resources programs.We welcome the opportunity to serve city residents and our customers by hosting community events such as this Household Hazardous Waste & Electronic Waste Collection event.If not collected and managed properly, small amounts when added together would harm our ground water, local water bodies like Ballona Creek, and our local ecosystem.We look forward to future events that will strengthen this partnership and our commitment to serving the environmental needs of the Crenshaw community in the great Council District 10,” added Director, Los Angeles Sanitation, Enrique C. Zaldivar.

The chief of the USC Department of Public Safety said this week he was ``deeply disturbed'' to hear allegations that the son of actress Taraji P. Henson was racially profiled by police at the campus, prompting him to attend a different college. (Associated Press)

The chief of the USC Department of Public Safety said this week he was ``deeply disturbed'' to hear allegations that the son of actress Taraji P. Henson was racially profiled by police at the campus, prompting him to attend a different college. Henson, who stars in the hit series ``Empire,'' said in an interview with Uptown magazine that her son Marcel, 20, was hoping to attend USC. But while on campus, he was stopped by police because he had his hands in his pockets, Henson said.

USC police Chief John Thomas said he did not know if any of his officers were involved in the alleged stop, but he planned to investigate.

``I was deeply disturbed to read about a prospective student who felt profiled on or near campus because of his race,'' Thomas said. ``I would like to look into this matter further and better understand who was involved and what took place. As someone who personally experienced racial profiling as a teenager, I have a stake in learning more about this incident and doing all I can to reach a just resolution.''

Henson said her son will be attending her alma mater, Howard University, instead of USC. She told the magazine she did not want to pay $50,000 in tuition to USC and lose sleep wondering, ``Is this the night my son is getting racially profiled on campus?''

Geoffrey Baum, President of the Board of Governors for the California Community Colleges announced that the West Los Angeles College proposal to offer a Bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene has officially been approved. West is one of only a handful of California Community Colleges, and the only one in the Los Angeles Basin, now approved to offer a Bachelor’s degree in a specific area under California State Senate Bill 850. The college received initial approval in January with 14 others. Vice President Joe Biden visited the dental hygiene program the same week the preliminary approval was given as part of a larger visit to Southern California. Since then, three college applications have been withdrawn for reconsideration.

The Bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene is an expansion of the college’s outstanding dental hygiene Associate degree program.

“The selection of this program at West Los Angeles College is wonderful news for prospective students and the entire district,” said Dr. Francisco Rodriguez, chancellor of the Los Angeles Community College District. “It affirms the excellence of our faculty, curriculum, and facilities in dental hygiene, and the great partnerships we have in the Los Angeles region with prospective employers.The opportunity to make this high quality, four-year degree available for roughly $10,500 in this high-need profession suggests to me that we will be immediately oversubscribed.”

“I am delighted that West’s application to offer a bachelor’s degree in Dental Hygiene has been approved," said Dr. Nabil Abu-Ghazaleh, President of West. “Over at least the last decade, dental hygienists with Associate degrees from West have had a 100% record of passing the same board examinations that are required of students in bachelor’s programs in order to practice their profession.” He added, “Receiving the bachelor’s degree from West will open the door for our graduates to private practice, leadership positions, and transfer into master’s programs. Go West. Go Far!”

Currently, a Bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene is not offered at California’s state colleges and universities. This degree is only available at private institutions where the cost can range from $80,000.00 to $120,000.00 versus the significantly lower cost of delivering an equivalent program in a community college setting.

“This has been a long time coming, a game changer for graduates of the program, and it will open doors that were barriers in the past,” said Carmen Dones, chairperson of the Allied Health Division at WLAC. “Graduates will now be able to apply to be an educator, researcher, or corporate representative, in addition to working in clinical practice.”

Regarding the new Bachelor’s degrees, Baum said, “This is an appropriate expansion of our mission designed to meet the needs of an economy that is requiring more workers with four-year degrees…We have consulted closely with the leadership of the California State University system throughout this process and are pleased to approve these innovative pilot programs that will provide students with affordable degree options in fields that have demonstrated job growth.”

Compton Unified School District (CUSD) knows the importance of early education for our communities’ youngest children.

That’s why we collaborated with partners including Nickelodeon, First 5 LA, Jumpstart, and Kidspace Children’s Museum to host the Nick Jr. “Beyond the Backpack” Kindergarten Readiness Block Party at McKinley Elementary School on Saturday, March 7.

Hundreds of families from Compton and surrounding communities attended the event, which provided them with free educational resources and assistance with our kindergarten enrollment process. Parents and their children also enjoyed a range of fun educational activities.

Nickelodeon representatives including actress Tia Mowry-Hardrict (“Instant Mom” and “Sister-Sister”) also presented the District with a $5,000 check to support kindergarten readiness programs.

“Early education is an essential ingredient, an essential element for moving a child’s life forward. The foundation starts early, but of course we’re going to meet your children at three years of age and serve them all the way to age 17 or 18,” said Micah Ali, Board President of Compton’s School Board.

Andrew Machles, director of Public Affairs for Nickelodeon, said the company is proud to work with Compton to serve families and their young children.

“Everyone at Nickelodeon knows how important it is to be ready for kindergarten on day one,” he said.

Parent Nancy Ferguson attended the event with her four children, one of them a five-year-old, because she wanted to learn more about kindergarten readiness.

“This event really helps parents who need to learn more about how school enrollment works, and to get whatever resources are available,” she said.

Brittney Lindsey said she took full advantage of all that “Beyond the Backpack” had to offer.

She picked up information on kindergarten enrollment, encouraged her children to explore the variety of activities, and also enjoyed quality family time at the event’s reading garden.

“It’s great to have the kids socializing with other kids. My son is Mr. iPad and my daughter is Ms. TV,” she noted. “This has also been very helpful for me. I was confused about the cut-off date to enroll my child in transitional kindergarten but now I know she needs one more year of pre-K. I want her to attend McNair Elementary.”

For more information on school enrollment, including for kindergarten, call CUSD Pupil Services (310) 639-4321, ext. 63109 or 63048.

Parent Nancy Ferguson attended the event with her four children because she wanted to learn more about kindergarten readiness. “This event really helps parents who need to learn more about how school enrollment works, and to get whatever resources are available,” she said. She is accompanied by McKinley third-grader Adrian (to Nancy’s right), fifth-grader Bryan (top right), first-grader Abraham (in plaid shirt), and five-year-old Jayla Ferguson.

UC Berkeley's study of a proposal to raise the minimum wage in Los Angeles is expected to be released this week, ahead of four public hearings on the issue being hosted over the next month by a City Council committee.

The study was commissioned by the city to look into the economic effects of raising the minimum wage from $9 an hour to $13.25 an hour by 2017, to $15.25 an hour by 2019, and higher in subsequent years based on the Consumer Price Index.

City officials had expected to receive the study by today, but the analysis is now expected tomorrow or later this week.

Separate studies commissioned by the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, representing the local business community, and the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, which represents unions, are also expected to be released this week.

Berkeley's Institute for Research on Labor and Employment also prepared the study for Seattle's minimum wage hike plan, and worked on a economic study that Mayor Eric Garcetti released last September as he announced his proposal for raising the wage to $13.25 per hour.

Some business leaders opposing the wage hike plan -- which they argue could lead to layoffs of workers or increase costs for products and services -- have criticized the choice of UC Berkeley as the economic research firm for the proposal.

But some business groups say they are in support of the minimum wage hike plan, with Garcetti recently touting the Los Angeles Business Council's endorsement.

The council's Economic Development Committee will hold hearings to review the results of the economic studies at:

Controller Ron Galperin unveiled an online portal last week detailing payroll, vendor payments and other financial data about the Department of Water and Power. The ``DWP Utility Panel'' website includes information on payments made for everything from uniforms to the services of PricewaterhouseCoopers, the firm involved in the problem-filled rollout in September 2013 of the utility's new billing and customer service system, Galperin said. The website, at https://controllerdata.lacity.org/dwp/, also provides payroll information, including costs tied to regular pay, fringe benefits, overtime and other types of payments made as part of labor agreements.

The data is current up to 2011, according to Controller spokesman Lowell Goodman. The site also includes performance data, such as the number of water main breaks annually -- which appeared to have declined in recent years – and call wait times. Galperin said the DWP Utility Panel is an ``easy-to-access site, which for the first time makes the LA Department of Water and Power's financial data available in one place.''

``The DWP certainly has had its share of inquiries lately, and while the utility panel does not answer every question that is raised about this extraordinary, complex institution it sheds light on its operations, its finances and makes them transparent for all the people of Los Angeles,'' Galperin said.

DWP General Manager Marcie Edwards said the department ``dedicated hundreds of hours of staff time to provide this data to the public because we are committed to transparency and openness.''

``We appreciate Controller Galperin and Mayor Garcetti's leadership in OpenData, and are proud to be one of the first major Department's to partner in making this information available,'' she said.

Mayor Eric Garcetti thanked Galperin ``for releasing this data to increase transparency at the Department of Water and Power.''

``The DWP is a public utility, and together, Controller Galperin and I are making sure it answers to the people,'' he said.

The Utility Panel is a new section of open data portal that Galperin unveiled last year that makes city payroll, spending and other data available to the public in one online location.

The National Society of Black Engineers will hold its annual convention at the Anaheim Convention Center March 25-29.The 41st annual convention is expected to draw more than 8,000 attendees. According to NSBE officials, the event which is the organization’s largest, has been “a turning point in the lives of countless black college and pre-college students over the past four decades.”

The convention showcases black students and professionals who have a passion for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), who are high-achievers in these fields and who are channeling their passion to advance their communities and society at large.

NSBE's members will be joined by local leaders and celebrities alike, in activities and events spotlighting the next phase of engineering and centered on the conference theme: "Innovation & Excellence: Reimagining Your Future."

As the convention prepares to get underway, the Society's executive director says NSBE's chief focus is achieving one goal of its new strategic plan: to graduate 10,000 black engineers with bachelor's degrees, annually, by the year 2025.

"We view our annual convention as a time to show the world what excellence in engineering looks like," says Karl W. Reid, Ed.D."As we continue to advance NSBE's mission to increase the number of black engineers, we are also focusing on making engineering the career of choice for many more black children around the world.We are committed to reimagining our children's futures."

Sossena Wood, a Ph.D. student in bioengineering at the University of Pittsburgh, is NSBE's national chair, the organization's top-ranking officer.

"NSBE's Annual Convention has been a big part of my personal development," she said. "Six years ago, in Las Vegas, as a first-time member of the NSBE Senate, I was actively involved in deciding what path the Society would take in the coming year. Now, as we prepare for our convention in Anaheim, I have come full circle, as I share with the Senate the path the Society should take until 2025."

The Van Nuys-based organization that sends care packages to the military was sued last Friday by a former employee who alleges he was fired due to his race and gender and also because he asked for time to perform his annual National Guard duty.

(file photo)

The Van Nuys-based organization that sends care packages to the military was sued last Friday by a former employee who alleges he was fired due to his race and gender and also because he asked for time to perform his annual National Guard duty. John Whitfield filed the lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court against Operation Gratitude. The suit also alleges retaliation and multiple work- related violations. He seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.

A spokeswoman for Operation Gratitude did not immediately reply to a request for comment. The suit states that Whitfield was hired as Operation Gratitude's production and distribution manager in February 2014. He alleges he was soon given additional duties that caused him to miss meal and rest breaks and that he worked up to 20 hours of overtime a week without compensation.

Whitfield was the only black full-time employee, the suit states. The suit states that Whitfield filed a complaint against another employee and a volunteer, both of them female, for allegedly leaving their inventory annex open and risking the loss of hundreds of thousands of items meant to be shipped to military personnel. When he complained to a supervisor, he was told, ``Get used to them, that's just who they are'' and ``Get with the program or we will have to make some changes,'' according to the lawsuit.

Management knew that Whitfield's three-week annual tour of duty with the National Guard was scheduled last July at the armory where Operation Gratitude was located, but he was fired a month before his military service was about to begin, the suit states. The suit states that Whitfield also saw health violations at Operation Gratitude.

``Food and other items sent to military personnel were stored past their expiration date and the facility was teeming with cockroaches, rats and other vermin,'' the suit states.

Whitfield and others additionally were required to drive a forklift without proper OSHA licensing, the suit alleges.

When Inglewood voters go to the polls on April 7, 2015, they will have a clear choice for Inglewood City Clerk. Yvonne Horton, Inglewood City Clerk, is the experienced, intelligent and honest choice for re-election as Inglewood’s City Clerk. No one seems to know much about her opponent.An investigation revealed that her opponent has never voted in any Inglewood Municipal elections despite her desire to become the Chief Election officer of the City of Inglewood.

Conversely, City Clerk Horton has over a decade of experience as Inglewood City Clerk, Office Manager, and Clerk to the City Council.She has also successfully managed over 24 elections, including several initiatives, and is a 35-year resident of the City of Inglewood. Clerk Horton, by all accounts, is doing an exceptional job.She is a champion for voter registration, education, and participation. She has also been active in the community, helping to educate and empower Inglewood residents.

During her tenure as Inglewood City Clerk, Horton has improved the service levels in the office of the City Clerk and has demonstrated fiscal responsibility.Her leadership has initiated several measures that have improved the integrity, transparency, and accountability of the election process.

Her opponent’s official name is Kesha Reajohne Bristow however; she is registered to vote as Ms. Mitchell.According to the Los Angeles County Registrar/Recorder, she has never voted in any Inglewood Municipal Elections.

Furthermore, a review of the official ‘Ballot Designation Worksheet’ and LinkedIn, the World’s Largest Professional Network revealed that she lied about her work experience and has no experience as a City Clerk. Specifically, on her ‘Ballot Designation Worksheet,’ it appears as though she lied about being in public service and has never been elected to public office.

Ms. Mitchell also lied about operating a business in Inglewood as a management consultant.She does not have an Inglewood City Business Tax License or Business Tax Certificate and, according to the Los Angeles County Registrar/Recorder, she does not have a Fictitious Business DBA and with various Business tax agencies, she is not registered as doing business in California.

As a registered voter in the City of Inglewood this reporter finds that City Clerk Yvonne Horton is an honest, smart, and clear choice for Inglewood City Clerk, with a solid record of efficient and responsive public service.

Hailing from the projects of Birmingham, Alabama, Dr. Jeanette Grattan Parker moved to California shortly after high school. After years of hard work, she found herself in an unusual position. She was one of the few Black residents of Beverly Hills, the founder and superintendent of five charter school sites, and a community leader, all due to a calling to help better Black and brown children through education.

“Growing up in Birmingham Alabama was an interesting experience,” said Parker, who also pioneered the very first Los Angeles Crenshaw parade says. Her mother, Ethel Mae Grattan, shielded her and her siblings from the harsh realities of their environment, encouraging them to focus on things that were important instead.

For Parker, that was education.

As a child she tutored her peers in school at the request of her teachers. She also taught younger children during Sunday school lessons at the church.

“Education was in my blood,” Parker said. It was a path that seemed natural, like a calling, she said.

In reality, many of the students attending Today’s Fresh Start may not have been afforded the same educational opportunities as their peers from different socioeconomic backgrounds, but Parker hopes that her schools can provide parents and students with a quality service that’s needed.

And the results support her thinking.

According to Parker the school meets and exceeds state targets. Additionally, Today’s Fresh Start touts high Academic Performance Index (API) scores, ranking 7 out of 10 in the GreatSchools ranking.

Despite her success, Parker believes that it has been her own background that’s led her to touch a certain group of students.

“I grew up in the housing project in Birmingham, socioeconomically disadvantaged, and so I have a heart for that,” she said. “My heart is to help those children.”

It was her heart that led her to found Today’s Fresh Start Charter School. Leaning on her experience as an educator, Parker conceived an idea to help public students like the ones she helped in Birmingham.

“I started a foundation to tutor children who were failing in the public schools,” she said. The foundation offered one-on-one help to students, Saturday sessions, and even implemented computers into public schools for individuals who needed the help.

“We had like a hundred students on Saturdays coming to be tutored,” Parker said.

At the advice of a peer, Parker decided to turn her successful tutoring endeavors into a full-fledged school, and that’s how Today’s Fresh Start Charter School was borne. Currently there are about 1200 of students, with 60% of them being Black.

The building blocks for success

The “I Have a Dream” wall in one of the classrooms

Parker, for all of her accomplishments, is focused not on her own success but the success of her students.

Reflecting on her youth in Birmingham, Parker remembers seeing a lack of enthusiasm about learning, as well several different domestic situations that undoubtedly affected students’ progress.

“I want to see something better for our children here,” Parker said.

As a result, the idea of college becomes a reality for students at Today’s Fresh Start. Classes are set up to prepare students for college. There’s a college theme in nearly every classroom and students visit neighboring colleges and universities. Additionally, many classrooms contain an “I Have a Dream” corner where students can write about their future plans.

“You have to have a vision,” Parker said. “Have something in your head that you want to see materialize for your life.”

Currently Today’s Fresh Start Charter School operates in five locations in the Vernon, West Adams, Compton, Hyde Park, and Inglewood areas.

Fashion enthusiasts hung on to every word of style icon, June Ambrose and legendary costume designer, Johnetta Boone during the most recent Soul Era Style event at Macy’s in the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Mall.

Ambrose rose to prominence in the 90s as a personal stylist and music video stylist for the likes of Jay-Z, Missy Elliot, P. Diddy, Busta Rhymes and R. Kelly amongst many others.

Boone’s work as a costume designer, which she defines as a person who is able to create garments from scratch, includes the films, For Colored Girls, Cadillac Records and The Notebook. She is currently working on Tyler Perry’s hit series, The Have and The Have Nots and For Better or For Worse.

Ambrose and Boone traveled across the nation with the Soul Era Style in-stores. Event locations included, New York, Atlanta, Miami, Philadelphia, Chicago, Washington, DC, and San Francisco before concluding in Los Angeles. On her reasoning behind participating in the tour, Ambrose commented, “It’s important for the consumer to understand their buying power, their value and their worth. Johnetta and I are honored to not only be able to share this wealth of information as well as make ourselves accessible. It’s about giving back and paying it forward.”

With the rise of social media, there has been an influx of people referring to themselves as, “stylists”. Ambrose is emphatic about the fact that her work over the past two decades transcends the title. When asked if she feels any pressure to maintain relevancy, Ambrose says “I was never stuck in the box of being a stylist, I’m a costume designer, author and television personality. I have a collection on HSN. I’m the CEO of my own business. You have to have a plan; you have to know what your brand represents and where you want it to go. People still refer to me as a stylist but I can’t hold that title anymore because I’m so much more than that. Styling is where I’ve built my career so I’m not shying away from it but I’ve earned the right to be more than that.”

Outside of costume design, Boone has designed a clothing line for young girls transitioning into womanhood, which she and her partner are currently pitching to retailers. She shares that there’s been no challenge in staying relevant and maintaining dominance in her craft as she’s been in the industry for three decades. “My consistent work is based off of the relationships that I’ve built with producers and directors. If you’re new to this business, you have to establish yourself. June and I met in the 90s when I was a stylist and I crossed over into moving cinema because for me it was more exciting to create a look for someone that was in moving cinema rather than one that was staged.”

Ambrose says one of the keys to having a viable career is, “Maintaining the integrity of your brand. I’m evolving in my career, I’m more focused on the consumer and making over America.” She emphasized, “People want what they can’t have. If you can maintain a sense of elitism it really helps with your marquee and your value. Also, know the quality of your work. You’re as good as your last job; constantly build on your craft. I always feel like I’m still growing.”

Ambrose, who has a background in investment banking, attributes much of her success to honing in on the business aspects of her craft. “I believe [understanding the business aspects of this industry] separates the haves from the have nots. Once you’re in, you realize “stylist” isn’t just a title, it’s something that you truly have to work for. Though the industry is very saturated, I’d still like to think fashion is a very elite trade.” She continues, “Just because you have a personal client or a couple projects doesn’t automatically make you successful. You have to constantly be looking towards the future and how you can build your brand. What are you going to do with yourself ten years from now?”

Echoing similar sentiments of advice for young professionals Boone says, “It’s really important to stay the course, be committed and have patience. June and I didn’t wake up accomplished, it took years of hard work and perseverance. That’s what seems to be missing now in the world we live in. We’re such a microwave society, everyone wants things to happen immediately and that’s not how you have longevity. Sure, you can walk out the door and become a stylist tomorrow but who’s your clientele, what’s your brand? What are you selling and how long will you be able to withstand within the industry?”

“The foundation of every creative person should be business,” says Ambrose, who shares some vital tips for young designers which are also applicable to any form of entrepreneurship. “Think about who your consumer is, who’s your targeted demographic? How are you going to market your product? How much is it going to retail for? How much are you willing to invest in it? What’s going to be your return on investment? We can all love to do things and sell clothes together but if no one’s going to buy it, receive it or wear it, you’re wasting your time. Get your fundamentals in place first, then think about the creative aspect.”

She adds, “For designers especially, craftsmanship is important. When you’re presenting a collection to a retailer, you want to know that the consumer isn’t going to return these goods; they’re presentable enough to actually be sold to someone. If I’m spending money and investing in your talent, give me something back that’s good quality. Passion isn’t enough, you have to know how to take care of your business.”

Boone and Ambrose have spent their careers working within an industry that is influenced by African American style but often fails to include African American designers and models in industry staples such as New York Fashion week.Boone says she wants her legacy to reflect the fact that she’s, “an accomplished costume designer first and then acknowledge that I happen to be black and that’s an asset second.”

Despite the lack of diversity within the fashion industry, Ambrose has had an unyielding confidence that has helped her advance in her career. “You can’t see the success of others and wonder, ‘why not me?’ I don’t measure my success based on other people’s success. My journey is always going to be different from another person’s regardless of race. The challenge is really staying focused on your path. Don’t get distracted by all of the bumps in the road. Trust yourself and know that you’ll persevere. When you can’t walk, crawl; but always get up. If you have a pulse, then you’ll get up and you’ll keep moving.”

Now that AEG has eliminated itself from the prospects of landing an NFL team by abandoning its plans last week, and with both the San Diego Chargers and Oakland Raiders are currently evaluating proposals to stay in their respective cities instead of moving to a planned site in Carson, the City of Inglewood is front and center of the return of professional football to the Southland.

However in a statement released directly to Inglewood residents have warned them of proponents against the pending a new state of the art stadium that is expected to break ground in December.

Mayor James T. Butts Statement to Inglewood Residents:

“I have been notified that there are special interest groups circulating petitions in Inglewood attempting to overturn the City Council adoption of the City of Champions Revitalization Initiative. This is their right under law to do so.

However, I have received calls from many residents complaining that some circulators are misleading residents in the description of what they are signing. I have also been informed that the groups responsible are not Inglewood based nor are its organizers or petition circulators Inglewood residents.This does not diminish their free speech right to attempt to influence decision-making in Inglewood.

I am told that for leverage in securing written promises that the Stadium and Performing Arts Theater jobs (anticipated to come online over 2 years from now) will be to some degree union designated, they are attempting to try to overturn the Council adoption and force the Initiative (which thanks to the unanimous City Council vote is now law at present) to ballot at a cost of over $200,000 to Inglewood residents if their demands are not met.

It is your RIGHT as an Inglewood voter and/or resident to support or not support this position if you so choose.

I have been informed that the intent is to delay construction and therefore compromise the ability to complete the project if their demands are not met.It should be noted that the initiative language already includes language that the 2 billion dollars of construction work will be performed in large part by union workers.

This is information of vital interest to Inglewood residents.The primary objective of the Mayor and City Council as it relates to the jobs generated by the implementation of the initiative is to ENSURE that 35% of the jobs generated GO TO INGLEWOOD RESIDENTS.We support any actions by the developers that maintain the discretion of the ultimate stadium operators to create an environment where Inglewood residents - young, middle-aged and senior - have the opportunity to share SIGNIFICANTLY in the jobs and prosperity that will be generated by the project.

It is your right to sign or not sign any petition that you choose. Please read carefully what you may be asked to sign over the next 2 weeks.”

A group of workers gather to fight to raise the wage. (Photo Credit SEIU-ULTCW)

Everyday, Felicia Slumkoski –Barnes gets up at 4:45am to begin her day.

First, she cares for Desmond, her 25 year old, developmentally disabled son. At 6am she heads to her job as a caregiver for an elderly, pre-Parkinson’s woman. In the afternoon, she resumes cares for Desmond.

In all, Barnes clocks in between 70 and 80 hours a week at her two jobs.

Her life is similar to many hardworking people in Los Angeles, with one exception. Despite working long hours to care for those in need Barnes still relies on public assistance, and can barely afford to make ends meet.

This is a plight all too familiar to personal care aides in California. The population, many of whom are Black and Hispanic women, on average makes $10.77. This wage includes union and non-union personal care aides.

Barnes makes $10 an hour working as a personal caregiver and $9.65 an hour caring for her son.

Recently, there’s been a local push to raise the wage to $15 an hour for Service Employees International Union’s caregivers via the (SEIU) We Care LA campaign. Additionally, there’s been a national push to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, unionized or not.

Across the country national and local raise the wage campaigns have been picking up steam. Recently, Illinois members of SEIU saw their wages bumped to $14 an hour and workers in Washington State received a raise as well.

Theresa King at a raise the wage rally. (Photo credit SEIU-ULTCW)

While personal caregiver wages aren’t astonishingly low, many caregivers like Barnes have been forced to work two jobs to support themselves – and still they fall short.

“The money I get isn’t even enough to pay minimum rent," said Tamber Garrett, a 47-year-old caregiver working in Inglewood for a disabled male veteran.

In-home caregiving is a personal job that requires long hours inside the home. Duties can include preparing meals, entertaining the client, and can even encompass things like bathing and medicine distribution. Understandably, the job requires patience, kindness and compassion.

“It takes some skill to be able to seriously care for an individual,” King says.

For instance, knowing how to properly lift a patient out of the bed or keeping a patient covered while bathing them, said Theresa King, a caregiver with over 20 years of experience.

“You have to do the things that you would do for yourself,” King said.

As a result of the skills and interaction necessary many caregivers are extremely dedicated to their jobs, despite the low pay.

The work is not easy work, it requires a lot of time, a lot of patience and a lot of energy, King said.

You get so consumed in it, Garrett said. "If you don't do it then they don't have the help."

Although many caregivers are dedicated to work that they do, experts believe that the pay has contributed to some glaring issues within the industry.

Excluding death, family members resuming responsibilities and retirement the turnover rate in the caregiver industry was about 60% last year, said said Laphonza Butler, president of SEIU United Long Term Care Workers.

“In a lot of the cases we’ve found that it’s been about pay,” she said.

Additionally, due in part to older adults living longer and making the choice to stay in their own homes, the market is growing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the projected growth rate for a personal care aide from 2012 to 2022 is 49%, while the average growth rate for all occupations is 11%.

According to an SEIU United Long-Term Care Workers (ULTCW) internal study conducted by public policy experts Elena and Paul Ong, In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) caseload could grow from 196,000 in 2014 to 213,000 in 2020.

“The population is going to need more caregivers and we can’t hold on to quality caregivers at $9.65 an hour,” Butler said.

While the reality of $15 an hour is still uncertain, many caregivers would be happy with any raise at all.

“Getting a raise at this point would be wonderful,” Barnes said.

For her, it’s all about the small things.

“I’d be able to afford to pay more bills,” Barnes said. “I’d be able to do more with my son.”

According to Barnes, caregivers were supposed to receive an 8% in June. Instead they only received 1%.

“A raise right now would mean a lot to a lot of us because we work really hard to make ends meet,” she said.

Captain III Paul A. Snell, area commanding officer, Southwest Area is retiring after 30 years and 6 months of dedicated service to the Los Angeles Police Department including the diverse communities within the city of Los Angeles.Not only will he leave a legacy to the law enforcement profession, he inspires the citizens of Los Angeles to continue their efforts in actively promoting sustainability within their respective neighborhoods.

"Law enforcement has been both praised and maligned throughout history,” Snell said.

“ However, through lessons learned the LAPD has made significant strides within the communities it serves and law enforcement believes strongly that partnerships with the public has been the most essential element to the successes that its seen. Currently, despite the many challenges that we all still face within our respective neighborhoods, strong Community-Police alliances and partnerships will continue to be the cornerstones for even more unprecedented crime reductions.

“I want to personally encourage you to become even MORE involved within your communities and to work with your law enforcement partners to develop new comprehensive strategies that reduces and prevents crime, fear and disorder."

According to Officer Paul Elveth, Southwest Area’s Community Relations Unit, Captain Snell has always had the community and reputation of LAPD in mind under his leadership. In particular, he went out of his way to connect to the youth community members always making them feel that the police station was their second home.As an example, he arranged his office to offer after-school tutoring for a student in need of a quiet place to study.He took it a step further by asking his staff to purchase any necessary school supplies and summer camp equipment for the student.

“He will be missed by the community and police officers, and we wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement,” Elveth said.

“Impacting the lives of our community youth and guiding them toward success is something Captain Snell will always be remembered,” he said.

“ I wish him the best of luck and wishes.”

Snell leaves a profound legacy to become inspired and shadowed by the youth throughout the Southwest Area communities as thus: “. . .Carry on through disappointment, challenge and believe in yourself.Always do the right things for the right reasons.”

Snell began and is ending his Los Angeles Police Department career at Southwest Area Community Police Station. In 1985 his first assignment was at Southwest Area working patrol. For the next 30 years he served the citizens of Los Angeles working a variety of assignments, rising through the ranks and earning the rank of Captain III, Area Commanding Officer in 2011.

“It is fitting that Captain Snell, a leader who is committed to community policing, is finishing his career as the Area Commanding Officer of Southwest Area, where his career began and in a community that is only a couple of miles from where he grew up,” says Commander William Scott, assistant commanding officer, Operations-South Bureau, who will become the newly appointed deputy chief, commanding officer, effective Monday, March 23.

“Because of his roots [here], Captain Snell is personally vested in and cares deeply about South Los Angeles.As the leader of a police station with over 350 employees he has modeled the way and set a tone for those he leads that respect, integrity, professionalism, and service to the community are top priorities. Snell’s priorities are evident in the decisions he has made as the Commanding Officer of Southwest Area and the thought process in which he makes decisions.

“Snell makes decisions based on what’s right and based on what’s in the best interest of the communities served by the LAPD.A decision making process that is grounded in the mission, vision, and values of the Los Angeles Police Department. Also, a process that has helped Snell build trust and build valuable partnerships with citizens who reside, work and own businesses in the South Los Angeles communities served by Southwest Area Community Police Station that he oversees.”

Chief John Thomas, executive director, University of Southern California, Department of Public Safety, shares his professional insight of Captain Snell.

“Paul Snell, is the consummate police professional,” he said.

“But, for me, more importantly, he is one of my closest friends and confidantes and has been for many years.Throughout his tenure as the Commanding Officer of Southwest Division, we have been true partners in our joint mission to provide exemplary police services to the Southwest community, and, for me specifically, the USC Campus Community by building mutually respectful, collaborative community partnerships.Because we both are products of South Los Angeles, we share similar core values of transparency, accountability and public service that is mindful of the unique public safety concerns and needs of this community.

“On Snell’s first night at work, I asked him to tell us a little bit about himself and why he wanted to joined the police department.He said he joined because he wanted to help the community,” recalled Lieutenant Fred Booker, Office of the Chief of Police and Snell’s mentor at Southwest in 1985.

“Immediately, I could tell he was different; this young man was about business. His passion for his profession of law enforcement has been maintained at the highest level no matter what his assignment has been.He and I worked many years as a team for former Police Chief William J. Bratton. Bratton commented many times on his high moral standards, his level of intellect, and his passion for serving.Captain Snell truly understand what it means ‘to serve’ the community.His focus was ensuring officers treated the community with respect.I will not only miss him as a friend, also as a true law enforcement professional.”

Deputy Chief Beatrice Girmala, Commanding Officer, Operations-West Bureau,affirms that in any profession, it is truly a gift to have a nearly three decade relationship with a man of honor, skill, wit, and integrity. She says, “Paul is all that. He served the community and unselfishly assisted his peers and subordinates in an exemplary fashion, and without fail. Paul's reassuring and solid presence will be truly missed on the Department. "

Captain Snell is described as and will be remembered as a trailblazer by many of his professional colleagues including recently retired Captain Tia Morris, who worked with him at the Van Nuys Division.She stated that in February 2011, and as partners, he immediately hit the ground running in the Community by refocusing the efforts of the internal machine at Van Nuys Area starting with the Community Relations Office leadership and Senior Lead Officers to ensure the best possible outcome with the stakeholders in the community with outstanding crime prevention and major crime suppression.

“I am fortunate that he became more to me than just the commander, commanding when he was assigned to Van Nuys Division.I am proud to call him my friend,” said KCBS/ KCAL TV chief meteorologist Josh Rubenstein.

“He is honest and embodies the principles of community-based policing.I am confident that because of Paul Snell’s leadership the men and women under his command are better police officers and our city is a little bit safer.”

Sgt. James Park, one of Captain Snell’s area adjutants, while in Van Nuys and Southwest Area, reflects on their working relationship.“His strong work ethics, dedication to the community, and leadership became apparent to everyone around him, especially to our community members, and he demanded a lot, but also gave back a lot.Under his command, our CPAB membership grew to triple He improved our social media, which included Facebook, Twitter, and Nixle.Captain Snell would conclude our community meeting by asking community members to like us on Facebook. “Captain Snell, I wish you and your family the best in your next endeavor.Please know how much an impact you made on me and my family.You are the hardest working person I have ever known.I still remember your emails at 0300 hours. “

“Paul, congratulations on your well-deserved retirement after your exemplary service to the city of Los Angeles spanning over 30 years,” said Commander Robert Arcos, assistant commanding officer, Operations-Central Bureau.

“Your career has been highlighted by your phenomenal connection to community policing.Your leadership in each operational command effectively focused on the importance of building trust through crime reduction and community engagement.In times of crisis, there was no one I admired more than you.You have clearly set the bar high for us all to work on collaboration, partnerships and relationships.I learned so much from you admiring your efforts in Southwest Area to work with dynamic organizations, diverse communities and demanding challenges.”

Commander Horace Frank, Assistant Commanding Officer, Counter Terrorism and Special Operations Bureau, said, "Paul, I am humbled to have been considered a colleague and a friend of yours over the years. This opportunity in your life and career is one that many aspire to but less achieve. I am so proud and happy for you and Mrs. Snell. May God Bless you both with a long and healthy retirement."

Sabriya’s Castle of Fun Foundation (SCFF) successfully hosted a blood drive on March 14, from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m., at the Los Angeles Sentinel offices for medical patients in need. The 6th annual drive provided the opportunity for participants to give a pint of blood for those dealing with sickle cell anemia, leukemia, dialysis and countless other patients dealing with chronic medical issues who are in need of blood.

“Having a drive like this is very important for the African American community,” said President of Sabriya’s Castle Pamela Bakewell. “I’m very pleased with the turn out we had for the blood drive. We had a steady stream of donors come in throughout the day. I think we did well, but I would love to see the turnout improve. It’s really difficult to get African Americans to donate blood because a lot of them have fears. We really have to step up and give the blood that we can because we have rare blood types. Donating blood really helps our babies who are in need.”

Sabriya’s castle was created in honor of Los Angeles’ Sentinel Newspaper publisher Danny Bakewell Sr. and Aline Bakewell’s daughter, Sabriya Bakewell, after she passed away at 17 from complications stemming from leukemia. The semi-annual blood drive was created to provide a sense of community involvement by bringing awareness to countless medical issues that affect the African American community. “This is fabulous and heartwarming to see everyone come out and donate blood. It is the kind of thing that my wife and I cannot thank the community enough for doing this in remembrance of Sabriya,” Danny Bakewell Sr. said.

This year, Sabriya’s life celebration allowed volunteers to fellowship with others over free tacos, raffles, prizes, children’s dance contest, music and meet and greet locals from all over the community.

The demand for African American blood donors in the medical community is especially important due to the antigens needed by African American patients. However, a donor does not have to be African American to match an African American patient.

Councilman Curren Price donating blood. (courtesy photo)

South L.A. resident Kay Benjamin said for the first time she donated blood for a friend in need. “I got the email about this and I had a friend over at the Vision Theater who needs blood and she asked a couple of her friends to go to a blood drive and donate blood for her,” she said. “I really don’t like getting poked with needles to draw blood, but the cause is far better than the pain I will experience initially.”

Some patients with sickle cell anemia have a rare blood type that needs special attention. Sickle cell patients require frequent blood transfusions and have different requirements with blood donors that do not have C, E, and K red cell proteins. If a donor does not have these proteins on their red blood cells, their blood is reserved for transfusions for patients with sickle cell disease. Fifty-five percent of African Americans are CEK-negative, compared to less than 1% of the general population. SCFF makes it a priority to get people to donate blood because of the need.

Leukemia patients suffer from blood-forming tissues hindering the body’s ability to fight infection. Abnormalities in cell growth and recovery causes normal cells to multiple rapidly. Over a period of time, the cells can crowd out healthy blood cells in the bone marrow leading to fewer healthy blood cells.

SCFF offers more opportunities throughout the year for people to help the community or donate blood. The next drive will be this fall in September, in honor of Sickle Cell Anemia Awareness month, according to Pamela Bakewell. Details pertaining to the next drive will be released in the coming months. To volunteer or learn more about Sabriya’s Castle of Fun Foundation visit www.sabriyascastle.org

Loretta Lynch won approval from a key Senate committee Thursday to serve as the nation's next attorney general, as divided Republicans clashed over her support for President Barack Obama's immigration policies.

The 12 to 8 vote in the Judiciary Committee sent Lynch's nomination to the full Senate. Three Republicans joined all committee Democrats in voting "yes."

"The case against her nomination, as far as I can tell, essentially ignores her professional career and focuses solely on about six hours that she spent before this committee," said Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, as he criticized fellow Republicans for using Lynch's testimony in support of Obama's executive actions on immigration as a reason to oppose her nomination.

"I do not believe that is a proper way to evaluate any nominee's fitness for any position," Hatch said.

But GOP Sens. Jeff Sessions of Alabama and Ted Cruz of Texas, among others, insisted that Lynch disqualified herself with her support for those directives and had not shown she would be sufficiently independent from Obama.

"The president's policy is to allow people unlawfully here to take jobs in America — a policy she has explicitly stated she intends to defend," said Sessions. "We should not confirm someone to that position who intends to continue that unlawful policy."

Despite the disagreement, Lynch is all but assured approval by the full Senate, under new rules that will require only a majority vote instead of the 60-vote margin required for most legislation. Timing for a floor vote is uncertain.

But unlike Obama's defense secretary nominee, Ash Carter, who was approved by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 93-5 earlier this month, Lynch is unlikely to win approval by a resounding margin. As Thursday's debate illustrated, GOP opposition to Obama's immigration policies has become entwined in a variety of issues in the newly Republican-run Congress, and it has cut into Lynch's support at the same time it is holding up funding for the Department of Homeland Security.

Committee Democrats took turns denouncing their Republican colleagues for using the immigration issue as a reason to oppose Lynch, 55, who now serves as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York. She would replace Eric Holder and become the first black woman to hold the nation's top law enforcement job.

"Let me be crystal clear: The place for this battle is in the courts," said Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. "Political fights over immigration should not hold up Loretta Lynch, DHS funding or anything else.

A federal court last week put the policies on hold, a ruling the Obama administration is appealing. The directives extended work permits and deportation stays to millions in the country illegally.

GOP Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Jeff Flake of Arizona joined Hatch in voting to support Lynch. Graham suggested other Republicans find another outlet for their opposition to Obama's immigration plans.

"To those who really believe this is a constitutional overreach of historic proportions you have impeachment available to you," Graham said.

Flake noted that he and others have been eager to say good-bye to Holder, a lightning rod for conservatives who butted heads repeatedly with Capitol Hill Republicans and was held in contempt of Congress.

"The longer this nomination is held up the longer the current attorney general in the Department of Justice stays in place," Flake said.

But Cruz, a potential 2016 presidential candidate, said, "The answers Ms. Lynch gave in this hearing room, in my judgment, render her unsuitable for the position of chief law enforcement officer of the United States."

Cruz has pressured Republican leadership to hold up Lynch and other Obama nominees as a way to pressure the president over his immigration plans, but most other Republicans have shown little interest in participating in his approach.

Assembly member Reginald Byron Jones-Sawyer Sr. was recently appointed chair of the Assembly Select Committee on the Status of Boys and Men of Color along with Assembly member Rob Bonta (D-Oakland). The committee tackles policy issues ranging from educational disparities to underemployment, all of which pertain to boys and men of color.

“Over the past 4 years, this committee has done an outstanding job of raising awareness and creating policy solutions that address issues dealing with young men of color. I am excited and honored to serve as co-chair with Assembly member Rob Bonta. Together we can further address the systematic issues that plaque communities of color across California,” said Jones-Sawyer.

Fighting to improve the outcomes for these young men is in line with the Jones-Sawyer family tradition of fighting for civil rights and justice for all. Members of the Jones-Sawyer family were early pioneers in the civil rights movement. His uncle was one of the "Little Rock Nine"--high school students who braved violent mobs to integrate Little Rock Central High School in 1957; one of the most important and documented events in our nation's history.

The committee’s priorities this year will again focus on education and the criminal justice system but will also tackle issues not typically discussed in the committee such as social entrepreneurship, LGBT and homeownership/housing issues.

“As a father of two young African American men, I am well aware of the challenges young men of color face. I have had to continuously fight on behalf of my sons in order to ensure they received equal treatment in school and are not profiled or harassed in the community,” said Assembly member Jones-Sawyer.

This year, the Committee will work to implement the suggested courses of action that were outlined in the 2013 Staff Report and Policy Platform. The Committee will also continue to explore more ways to affect statewide policy to improve the lives of boys and men of color, their families and all Californians.

Council President Herb Wesson, is joined by Mayor Eric Garcetti (right) and Councilmember Bob Blumentfield (left) at Jim Gilliam Recreation Center in Baldwin Village where community over 50 residents were the first to receive refurbished city computers.)

Council President Herb Wesson has announced that under a partnership with the Office of the Mayor, the City of Los Angeles has launched an initiative to reclaim thousands of refurbished city computers no longer in use for disadvantaged families in the community.

“OurCycle LA” has been established as a pilot program, first in Baldwin Village and Koreatown, to give from 750 to 1,000 computers in each community to help bridge the digital divide between those who have online access and those who don’t.

The community partner managing the Baldwin Village program launch will be Community Build, Inc.

“We want our disadvantaged families to be able to compete in the 21st century global economy with the skills and technology they will need,” said Wesson.“Every day we delay, they fall further behind.So we must open doors of opportunity wherever and whenever we can.”

The program plans to study the effects of home computer access on families and children with a focus on general computer usage, employment, access and education.

“It’s tough to get a good job if you haven’t mastered the basics of using a computer and navigating the internet,” said Wesson.“We also want our youth and our seniors to be able to reach out and explore the range of social, educational and health resources that exist.”

Families who qualify will be required to attend digital literacy training and sign up for low cost internet services.The refurbished computers will also be distributed to nonprofit organizations throughout the city that operate public access computer centers serving disadvantaged communities.

The parents of a 21-year-old man killed in an LAPD officer-involved shooting at Universal City Plaza last year are suing the city.

James White and Tracy Carter, the father and mother of James Renee White Jr., filed the lawsuit Thursday March 5, alleging wrongful death, assault and battery, negligence and civil rights violations. The suit seeks unspecified damages.

``(White) was an aspiring young African-American male with ambitious goals and dreams,'' the suit states.

An LAPD spokeswoman declined to comment on the suit. According to the lawsuit, White was at the Infusion Lounge on May 12, 2014 when an altercation inside caused him and other patrons to leave. He was walking along City Walk when gun shots were fired, prompting the LAPD to respond, the suit states.

``Without any investigation, warning or any attempt to restrain the decedent in a non-lethal manner, defendants fatally shot James Renee White Jr.,'' the suit states. ``The decedent was pronounced dead at the scene as a result of a gunshot wound, for which the Los Angeles Police Dept. took responsibility.''

White posed no threat to the officers, the suit alleges. The incident was the first slaying at City Walk since 1995, when a man fatally stabbed two relatives in a parking lot.

"I always say that the [Los Angeles] Sentinel is like a family," former publisher Ruth Washington told The Los Angeles Times in 1981. "By that I mean it belongs to us and it belongs to the people, just like a child belongs to a family. That's what makes it such a beautiful paper."

On March 15, The Sentinel will celebrate 82 years of being the voice of L.A.’s black community. In that span of time, the publication has been instrumental in championing the causes of entrepreneurship and economic self-sufficiency. It has also played a major activist role in the county it serves.

It all started in 1933 when Leon H. Washington, advertising salesman for the California Eagle left the then largest Black newspaper in the city to start his own paper, The Eastside Shopper. Readership of the free paper increased quickly and allowed him to turn it into a subscription based publication called the Los Angeles Sentinel. In January 1934, Washington spearheaded the “Don’t Spend Where You Can’t Work” campaign in Los Angeles, urging blacks to boycott white stores in their communities that refused to hire them.

(Leon H. Washington)

Washington was jailed for his efforts, but the campaign solidified what the paper would be for the community… a voice, speaking up for justice and equality. By the late 1940s Washington began experiencing health problems, which forced him to appoint his wife Ruth as assistant publisher and business manager of the Sentinel. Mrs. Washington was determined to continue what her husband started, making sure the Sentinel was where readers could find coverage of anything happening in black Los Angeles.

When Washington died in 1974, his widow officially took over as publisher until her death in 1990. During her leadership, she created the Black women’s forum along with Ethel Bradley, wife of Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley, and legislator Maxine Waters. She also raised a significant amount of funds for the Crenshaw YMCA and provided the Sentinel as a forum for rival gangs in the city to hash out their differences.

She told the Times, "We've tried to do exactly for the community what Mr. Washington would have wanted us to do. That's what keeps us going."

Financial challenges in the 1980s forced Mrs. Washington to give the Sentinel’s longtime attorney Kenneth Thomas control over the weekly publication although she remained publisher. Thomas became publisher when Mrs. Washington died of cancer in 1990. Under his leadership, the Sentinel staff was relocated from its home on Central Avenue, to 3800 Crenshaw Boulevard, where it remains today.

Thomas and the Sentinel were appointed as representatives of the black press during the O.J. Simpson trial. The attorney turned publisher continued the Sentinel’s legacy as a resource for information vital to the black community and as an active voice, speaking out against injustice as well as highlighting positive people and events. By the time he died of respiratory failure in 1997, he had garnered the admiration and respect of the city’s black community from residents to notable politicians like Congresswoman Maxine Waters.

"He was always there as a friend, a confidant, a resource," said Waters, speaking at his funeral. "He was always there speaking truth to power."

The Sentinel stayed afloat through KenJenCo., Inc., a company that Thomas started with his wife Jennifer, who took over as publisher after his death. She remained in charge of the Sentinel until 2004. Under her leadership, the paper was involved the city’s yearly Black Business Expo and also put on an annual fashion show for the community.

Thomas’ widow passed the baton to businessman and long time community activist Danny Bakewell Sr. who remains publisher today. Under Bakewell and his family, the Sentinel slogan officially became, “the voice of the community speaking for itself.” The publication continues to be a vital resource for Los Angeles’ Black community.

In 2005 Bakewell started the Taste of Soul, the largest Black food and family festival in the city, with the Sentinel as its centerpiece. In addition to TOS, the Sentinel is involved in the community year round, with events like Sabriya’s Blood Drive, Mothers In Action Back to School festival, Ward Villas Thanksgiving feed and the Angel Tree Christmas giveaway.

Jacque Robinson became one of the youngest elected officials in the history of the City of Pasadena when she won her City Council race at the age of 28, and Tuesday March 10th she pushed fellow council member Terry Tornek into an April 21st runoff to become the second Black woman to serve as Mayor of Pasadena.

After all 47 precincts closed Robinson trailed Tornek who had 4,814 votes or 37.1 percent to Robinson’s 3,931 and 30.3 percent in the field of six candidates.

I’m grateful for the support,” Robinson told the Sentinel. “I remain optimistic and now starts another campaign of redoubling my efforts.”

“I LOVE PASADENA. As a Pasadena native, I am familiar with the intricacies of our great city.After eight years as Councilmember representing District 1 and two as Vice Mayor, I have the necessary experience, energy, and skills to lead our city into its next era,” said Robinson.

Tornek was born and raised in New York City and moved to Pasadena from Massachusetts in 1982, but Robinson is a Pasadena native who has been an advocate for affordable housing, decreased gun violence, career training and jobs for at-risk youth and adults, and protection of our neighborhoods and natural resources.

“I will be revisiting all of my supporters and asking them to make more phone calls, contribute more and work as hard as we can,” she added.

“I am aware of the challenges facing our public schools and will continue the work of building confidence and more support for our public school system.”

Robinson has tremendous support from Congressional member as Rep. Karen Bass, Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, State Sen. Isadore Hall, former State Assembly member (Ret.) Gwen Moore, former LA County Supervisor(Ret) Yvonne Burke, Pasadena’s residents, community organizations and labor unions.

The councilwoman for District 1, representing northwest Pasadena beat out candidates Magazine publisher Jason Hardin, community development consultant Don Morgan, community activist and city commissioner Allen Shay and business owner Leo Temory to force the run off with Councilman Tornek.

It was the first time in 16 years the mayoral seat was open in 16 years, and four term incumbent Bill Bogaard did not seek reelection.

Robinson is also highly respected by a cross-section of our diverse community, including both sides of the political aisle, as well as independents.

Her positive contributions to the city and community are numerous. Robinson has a unique awareness and analysis of the needs, issues and problems that must be addressed by the next mayor. She is a politician who keeps her word!

Robinson is most proud of her collaborative work spearheading the Pasadena-Altadena 20/20 Initiative, a grassroots coalition of individuals and organizations working to stop gang and community violence by focusing on the highest risk, highest need, gang-impacted youth, young adults and their families.She also helped to secure funding for and saw through the completion of the first Lincoln Avenue Specific Plan and has worked to provide yearly emergency preparedness training for her constituents.

Raised by parents who work as a cement mason and postal clerk, Robinson has spent the majority of her professional life fighting for working families as a labor community organizer.She has worked on community, issues-based and electoral campaigns with the California Teachers Association, Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO, Service Employees International Union, California Federation of Teachers, and the Los Angeles Urban League.

A contributing member of the Public Safety, Legislative Policy, and Economic Development & Technology City Council Committees, she also serves as city representative to the Foothill Workforce Investment Policy Board and the Gamble House.In 2009, Robinson was selected by her Council colleagues to serve as Chair of the Ad-Hoc Committee on Youth, Families & Neighborhoods and sits on the Transportation, Communications & Public Works Policy Committee of the California League of Cities.

Robinson is a 2006 graduate of Former Senator Barack Obama’s Hopefund – Yes We Can Training Program and a 2005 graduate of the Los Angeles African American Women’s Public Policy Institute.

Robinson credits the Pasadena Chapter of the National Women’s Political Caucus for sparking her interest in running for public office and the Los Angeles African American Public Policy Institute for preparing her path.She does her best to approach life by the reference, “Don’t talk about it. Be about it” and is honored to serve the community that raised her to be the leader she is today.